UK’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency said Monday that a team of additional six people would join the salvors on board the grounded drilling rig Transocean Winner, as part of the ongoing salvage operation.
The semi-submersible drilling rig Transocean Winner ran aground near Dalmore Beach on the Isle of Lewis, Scotland last Monday due to severe weather. It had been on its was to Malta when the incident happened.
Smit Salvage has confirmed that the two diesel oil tanks in the hull are intact and plans are under way to transfer the contents – a total of 137 metric tons – using onboard pumping systems to other tanks above the water line.
The salvors continue their damage assessment and preparation for the refloat. Transocean continues to check and restore equipment and other essential services.
An AugustaWestland AW139 helicopter is now based in Stornoway to support the operation. A second aircraft has also been mobilized and was expected to arrive to the island later on Monday.
An exclusion zone of 300 meters remains in place around the rig covering the sea and air, which means no drones will be permitted in the area, providing a safe working area for the salvage team to work in, the MCA said.
The Scottish Operational Environment Group continues to support and closely monitor the incident. There are no reports of pollution.
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